1. Ch. 16.2 Texas Gaining Independence & Becoming a State
With little population in Texas,
The new Mexican government decides to recruit empresarios from America to move into Texas.
What could possibly go wrong?

2. American Settlers Welcome
1821
Mexican government welcomed American settlers to Texas
Must become:
Mexican citizens
obey Mexican laws
support Catholic Church
Most settlers came from southern states LA MS AL GA

3. Led settlers to Texas Stephen F. Austin First 300 families
known as the “Old Three Hundred.”
Families receive:
640 acres
An extra 320 acres for each child.
Many families brought slaves with them

4. Conflict in Texas: American Point of View
US settlers ignored Mexican law
Not interested in becoming Mexican citizens
Considered themselves Texans:
Thought Texas was underrepresented in Mexican government
Never got a say on the laws made by government

5. Conflict in Texas: Mexico’s Point of View
Mexican officials said Texans didn’t show respect for authority:
Americans weren’t following laws
Slavery was outlawed but people brought slaves
So, General Santa Anna should stop this from happening….right?
Or can there be a compromise?

6. Negotiations??
Stephen F. Austin tried to maintain peace between Texas & Mexico
Austin was thrown in jail
After one year in jail, Austin said…
“War is our only recourse (option). There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, & our country by force of arms.”

7. Texas War for Independence or Texas Revolution
October 1835
First battle
Mexico:
Led by General Santa Anna
Texans:
Had no military
Only volunteers from USA and some tejanos
Made a temporary government & pledged to overthrown Santa Anna

8. BATTLE OF THE ALAMO November 1835
Texan army captured towns of Goliad & San Antonio
Made a military base in an old mission church called the Alamo
Santa Anna became outraged and marched to San Antonio
Wanted to destroy the Texans

9. Battle of the Alamo Feb. 23, 1836 Only 189 Texan troops Next 2 weeks:
Santa Anna arrived at the Alamo with 3,000 soldiers
Only 189 Texan troops
Including Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis
Waited for reinforcements to come with Sam Houston from northern Texas
Next 2 weeks:
Santa Anna surrounded the Alamo
Wanted to starve the troops inside
March 6, 1836
Mexican army attacked…

10. Remember the Alamo

11. The Battle of the Alamo

12. What happens next? Gen. Santa Anna moves on to Goliad
Texans outnumbered & surrender
Almost 400 soldiers surrender
executed by Santa Anna
Outraged Texans…
And their new leader Sam Houston.

13. Battle of San Jacinto Sam Houston
Commander in chief of new Texas army,
fought Santa Anna
Houston’s troops were outnumbered & untrained
But were mad as hell!!!
April 21, 1836
Houston’s army attacked & won the war!

14. Texas Becomes a Republic
Santa Anna was forced to recognize Texas as a country
Gen. Houston released Santa Anna to return to Mexico City
Santa Anna was then thrown out of power by angry Mexican citizens
Many Mexicans did not accept that Texas had become an independent country…
Vowed to fight to regain it in the future….

15. The Republic of Texas Sam Houston 1st Capital
Elected president
1st Capital
Houston
Moves to Austin when it becomes a state in the USA.
The US, France, & Great Britain all recognized Texas as a country
But not Mexico

16. So what happens next…
Mexico looks for a reason to take back Texas for the next 10 years
Sam Houston tries to make his country strong
Eventually realizes its only possible if Texas gets protection against the Mexicans…
Stay tuned.

17. Review Questions
What conflict did American settlers have with the Mexican government?
What is the Alamo?
Who is Sam Houston?